Fire Safety Questions.
Plain Answers.

Workplace fire safety responsibilities usually sit with the employer and others who control the premises, such as a landlord or managing agent. The exact allocation depends on control of the building and its precautions. Where several parties share duties, they need to cooperate and coordinate rather than assuming another party manages every part.

A small office within the Fire Safety Order needs a suitable fire risk assessment and a written record. The assessment should be proportionate to the actual premises and risks. A simple layout does not remove the need to consider people, escape arrangements and precautions, although it may make the assessment more straightforward.

The right fire safety service depends on the question you need to answer. If you do not have a suitable current assessment, start there to understand the building risks. If you already have an action plan, tell us the recommendation or defect so the enquiry can focus on the inspection, maintenance or installation actually needed.

A fire safety quotation is easier to scope when you include the postcode, building use, approximate size and the service required. Share equipment counts, previous reports and access restrictions where available. Explain whether the work follows a defect, a tenancy change or a refurbishment, and state any programme you need the provider to consider.

A routine fire alarm test does not replace specialist maintenance. User tests help identify obvious operational problems and keep staff familiar with the warning, while servicing examines the system under an agreed technical programme. Keep both sets of records together and ask the engineer to explain any gaps in the maintenance history.

Fire extinguisher servicing is normally planned with annual basic servicing under BS 5306-3, alongside routine checks and other maintenance appropriate to the equipment. Some units need extended service or overhaul at relevant intervals. The actual programme depends on the type, manufacturer information and condition, so ask for an equipment-specific schedule. (BSI, 2017)

An emergency lighting indicator does not prove that a fitting has passed its functional or duration test. It may show charging or another status defined by the manufacturer. The relevant test must demonstrate operation, and the result should identify the fitting so defects can be located, repaired and checked again.

A fire door inspection normally records condition and findings within the agreed scope. Replacement doors or remedial works need a separate specification and approval unless explicitly included. Ask how missing product evidence, incompatible components and inaccessible areas will be reported, and how completed repairs will be checked against the original findings.

Your current fire alarm may remain suitable after refurbishment, but that needs checking against the changed layout, use and design requirements. Moving partitions or changing occupancy can affect detection and warning. Review the proposed changes before work starts and confirm any necessary alterations, commissioning and updates to system records.

A building with several commercial tenants can be considered once the enquiry identifies the areas in scope and the people controlling shared precautions. Access, alarm management and common escape routes need coordination. Tell us whether the request covers one tenancy, common parts or the whole building so responsibilities and reporting can be agreed.

A fire safety service visit includes the work described in the agreed scope, which may not cover replacement parts, remedial work or extra investigations. For your Brighton service visit, agree how faults are documented and who must authorise any extra spend. Keep the inspection or service record separate from a quotation for work that has not yet been instructed.

A fire risk assessment is a record of risks, precautions and actions for the premises, rather than a general certificate approving the building. It should reflect current conditions and remain under review. Equipment certificates and service reports have their own limited purpose and should be kept alongside the assessment as supporting information.

Commercial fire safety enquiries cover Brighton, Hove and nearby areas including Portslade, Southwick, Shoreham-by-Sea and Lancing. The scope and availability depend on the service, access and premises. Include your postcode and building type when enquiring so coverage can be confirmed before you make plans for a visit.

After you send a fire safety enquiry, the details can be reviewed to understand your location and requirements. The form asks for agreement before sharing the request with a suitable local firm. That firm may contact you to clarify the scope, and you decide whether to accept any quotation or appointment.